The Meeting
Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Pedro Villa together with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Manpower, and Ministry of Health of the Philippines came from Manila to Kuwait. To meet the Indonesian Ambassador, Tatang Budie Utama Razak at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait. Because Renato Pedro Villa needs solutions to solve the problems and he will discuss it with the manpower agency in Philippines
According to Ambassador Renato, the arrival of the Ambassador and his team from Manila was to learn from Indonesia. Which he judged had succeeded in dealing with Indonesian workers in Kuwait, especially in the domestic sector. The Philippines currently has more than 165,000 domestic workers in Kuwait. Annually there are more than 3000 cases of unpaid wages, sexual harassment and violence, and other acts of exploitation.
Manpower agency in Philippines: The Problems
Ambassador Renato stated that he and his staff at the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait have been facing very serious problems. Especially, in dealing with domestic workers. They have made various steps and efforts. To provide services and protection to these workers. Meanwhile, he saw that Indonesia had previously experienced a similar situation. But currently, Indonesian Embassy can handle these domestic workers. Especially after the moratorium on sending domestic workers to Kuwait in 2009. Therefore, the arrival of Ambassador Renato with a team from Manila to the Indonesian Embassy wanted to study the tips of the Indonesian government. Especially the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait, which he considered had succeeded in overcoming the problem of domestic workers.
Ambassador Tatang Budie Utama Razak explained in detail the policies of the Indonesian government in providing services and protection. Especially for domestic workers. From time to time, especially after reforms starting from the birth of Law no. 39 of 2004, Presidential Instruction no. 6 of 2006. Instructions of President Joko Widodo until the 2015 Minister of Manpower regulation that stopped sending domestic workers to all Middle Eastern countries. On this occasion, Ambassador Tatang Razak also explained how they handled this problems. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia abroad take steps to handle this problem. Including monitoring and evaluation carried out by the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from time to time.
Manpower agency in Philippines: The Solutions
Before the cessation of sending domestic workers to Kuwait in 2009, the number of migrant domestic workers of more than 70,000 people. More than 1,500 people of domestic workers had to be accommodated by the embassy by renting a special building for the shelter which on average was occupied every day not less than 400 people with a budget issued at that time was more than IDR 10 billion rupiahs.
Shelter of the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait accomodated the TKI those who run away from their employers. Because their salaries have not been paid for years, and experience acts of violence, sexual harassment, and other acts of exploitation. Currently, the number of Indonesian domestic workers in Kuwait is less than 4,000 people, but the professional, skilled and formal Indonesian workforce has increased sharply.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait has succeeded in establishing zero shelters. Zero shelters mean Indonesian Embassy don’t need to provide shelters. As well as illegal workers or overstayers who previously numbered in the thousands are currently no more than 100 people. The budget for protection has drastically shrunk from IDR 10 billion to less than IDR 1 billion. As estimated, next year it will not be more than IDR 400 million. Renato Pedro Villa will give these solutions to manpower agency in Philippines.
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